NU Posts 197.050 to Claim Masters Classic Title

Lincoln, Neb. - The ninth-ranked Nebraska women's gymnastics cruised to victory in the 23rd Masters Classic on Friday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, taking a 197.050-194.850 win over Iowa State. Three Huskers (6-1, 4-1 Big Ten) swept all four event titles and the all-around to lead en route to their sixth win of the season. The dual win over the Cyclones (3-6, 0-2 Big 12) in front of a crowd of 1,421 marked NU's 17th-straight Masters Classic title.

"Last weekend at Arizona, we didn't break a 49 on any event," Head Coach Dan Kendig said. "This week, we broke 49 on all four--and the girls earned and deserved it. We warmed up much better today, too. We learned from last weekend, we practiced better this week and it paid off."

Emily Wong paced Nebraska's rout of the Cyclones, winning or tying for three event titles to take the all-around victory. Wong tied for the beam title (9.90) and won outright awards on bars (9.925), floor (9.925) and in the all-around (39.600). Jennifer Lauer tied with Wong for top honors on beam (9.90), and Janelle Giblin captured her first vault title of the season (9.75).

NU got the evening off to a solid start on vault, posting a team score of 49.175. Giblin led the way for the Big Red, earning a meet-best 9.875 to tie her season-high. Wong added a 9.85, while Hollie Blanske and Jessie DeZiel picked up identical marks of 9.825 to boost NU.

Iowa State posted a 48.70 on bars in the first rotation of the evening. The Cyclones were led by Camille Santerre-Gervais, who earned a 9.825. After one event, the Huskers took a 49.175-48.700 lead over ISU.

NU carried the momentum onto bars, posting one of their highest totals of the season at 49.325. Wong paced the Huskers with a 9.925, her highest score since late January. Giblin aided NU's efforts with a solid 9.875, while DeZiel picked up a 9.85. Blanske added an identical 9.85, tying her career-high on the event.

Iowa State picked up a 48.60 on vault in their second event. Alex Marasco paced ISU with a 9.750. Following the second rotation, NU extended their lead to 98.500-97.300.

A pair of stellar closing performances anchored Nebraska's efforts on beam in the third rotation. Jennifer Lauer bumped up the intensity with a 9.90, her highest score since earning a 9.95 against Michigan in NU's season-opener. Wong followed up with another 9.90 to push the Huskers to a 49.175 on the evening.

The Cyclones took to floor in the third rotation, earning a 48.925. ISU was led by Henri Green, who picked up a 9.85. With only one rotation remaining, the Huskers held a solid 147.675-146.225 lead over Iowa State.

Nebraska took to floor in the final rotation needing a powerful performance to break the 197 mark overall. The Huskers delivered five strong performances to pick up a 49.375, led by a meet-best 9.925 from Wong. DeZiel anchored the event with a 9.90, and Stephens and Jennifer Lauer earned identical career-best marks of 9.85.

The final rotation saw ISU on beam, where the Cyclones finished with a 48.625. Michelle Shealy led with a 9.775 overall. Iowa State wrapped up the evening at 194.850 overall, their second-best score of the season.

NU had three all-around performers on the evening, led by Wong's meet-winning 39.600. DeZiel took second with a 39.350, and Brittany Skinner picked up a 38.650.

Nebraska will host their final home meet of the season on Monday, March 4 when they welcome conference foe Iowa to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for Senior Night. The meet, which is slated for a 6 p.m. CST start, will honor seniors Janelle Giblin, Kassandra Nathe and Brittany Skinner as they compete in their final competition at home for NU.